Beethoven & Brahms Symphonies no. 2 (2005)

Beethoven, Brahms

Concertgebouworkest

Mariss Jansons

After two previous releases of recordings by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under their new chief conductor Mariss Jansons (RCO 04002 — Dvorák, Ninth Symphony and RCO 04005 — Strauss, Ein Heldenleben), they now release the third CD by the Amsterdam top team on their own label RCO Live. This release (RCO 05002) contains live recordings of Ludwig van Beethoven’s and Johannes Brahms’ Second Symphonies. These were recorded on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 October 2004 in the Concertgebouw to great public acclaim.

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Concertgebouworkest

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra is lauded by the most authoritative international critics as one of the world’s greatest orchestras. Known for its unique sound and stylistic flexibility, it has worked with all the leading composers and conductors. Indeed, such composers as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Igor Stravinsky conducted the orchestra on more than one occasion. Only seven chief conductors have led the orchestra since it was founded in 1888: Willem Kes, Willem Mengelberg, Eduard van Beinum, Bernard Haitink, Riccardo Chailly, Mariss Jansons and – starting in the 2016–17 season – Daniele Gatti. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Academy provides instruction in orchestral playing to young, talented musicians. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra undertook an extensive world tour in 2013 on the occasion of its 125th anniversary. Her Royal Highness Queen Máxima is the orchestra’s patron.

photo by Anne Dokter (from Press Photos on Artist Website)

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Beethoven & Brahms Symphonies no. 2 (2005)

Beethoven, Brahms

Concertgebouworkest

Trouw

‘One wished to be able to embrace all ten of the cellists individually for their magnificent playing.’

Peter van der Lint

Het Parool

‘The first movement was a delight for the ears. The sound streams through the entire orchestra, whilst the sharp articulations and the finely-judged crescendi ensure scintillating moments.’

Erik Voermans

NRC Handelsblad

‘virtuoso and fabulously beautiful string playing’ […] ‘the sound of the full tutti here seemed to be deeper, fuller and more sonorous than was previously the case’